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Thursday, October 3, 2013

POPLARVILLE - Planning is well underway for the 2014 Pearl River Community College Women’s Health Symposium in partnership with the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation. The foundation presented a grant of $17,000 to PRCC President William Lewis for the symposium, set for Jan. 25 on PRCC’s Poplarville campus. “The Women’s Health Symposium has grown to be a most significant event for Pearl River Community College,” Lewis said. “The participation that we have experienced for the past few years from the community has greatly enhanced our enthusiasm for promoting healthy lifestyles. Without the continuing support of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, this event would not be possible. “We’re most grateful for their continuing assistance.” Approximately 400 women have attended previous symposiums, which feature free health screenings and panel discussions by health professionals. “For the past few years, the symposium has been one of the best-attended events at the college,” said Dr. Ted Alexander, chief executive officer of the foundation. “We think it’s great that women have an opportunity to have some basic health information made available to them as well as the other events associated with the symposium. The foundation is pleased to partner with the college to assist in this annual event.” Keynote speaker for the eighth annual symposium is Jean Gatz, a motivational speaker who blends humor with her life experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. The day will also include an art walk, entertainment and information booths. “The LPRVF funds will help to provide greatly needed health services and information to the symposium participants, a majority of whom are from the Pearl River County area,” said Dr. Becky Askew, chair of the Symposium Steering Committee. “By providing free health screenings, having informative sessions and providing opportunities for those attending to ask questions of health professionals, it is hoped that the participants will make changes to their lifestyles, leading to healthier and more productive lives.”

Dr. Ted Alexander, chief executive officer of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, presents a grant to Dr. William Lewis, Pearl River College president, and Dr. Becky Askew, chair of the Women’s Health Symposium, to help fund the Jan. 25 symposium.PRCC Public Relations photo